Archetype Choice Book Reading Guidelines

For the next four weeks, you will be completing an independent reading assignment. You have already wisely chosen the book you will be reading based on the title and description of the book, or based on something else that for whatever reason seemed appealing to you. Hopefully, you have chosen a book that you will not only enjoy, but that you will benefit from for years to come in ways that you may not have expected.

Guidelines:

v You will have until the end of May to finish your book.

v One day each week (usually Friday) you will discuss different themes and ideas based on your book as part of a Reader’s Circle. There will also be a final project that will be explained at a later date.

v You should set reading goals for yourself in your Agenda. Since you have four weeks to read the book, plan on reading ¼ of your book each week.

v As you read, you will be keeping a Reader’s Journal, which will be checked on Reader’s Circle days as homework and then counted as a Quiz grade.

v You are responsible for completing all assignments, on time and with effort. Hopefully you have chosen a book of interest to you so that this will be an easy and enjoyable assignment.

Ø Remember: reading is fun and it makes you smarter!

Reader Response Journal Questions

v There are a total of 19 questions to choose from.

v Eight of them must be answered in complete sentences in your Reader Response Journal.

v Questions # 1 and 2 must be completed as your first two Journal entries, and Questions # 18 and 19 must be your last two entries; you may choose any others in between.

v Each response must be numbered, but they may be answered in any order. (You can not answer the same question twice, though you may add to an earlier response.)

v “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer.

v Two journal entries must be completed each week and will be checked as homework. At the end of the reading, Journals will be collected and counted as a Quiz grade. (Each entry is worth four points.)

v Don’t procrastinate. Don’t save them until the last minute. Complete your journal entries as you are reading your book.

v Reader Response Journals will be graded based on accuracy, thoroughness, and effort.

(Required) 1. What is the title of your book? Who is the author? What genre is it (science fiction, mystery, realistic fiction, horror, fantasy, etc.)?

(Required) 2. Answer the following questions based on the first chapter:

o Where and when is the book’s setting?

o Describe the protagonist(s).

o What do you learn about the plot—is there any kind of conflict set up?

3. Based on the first few chapters, make three predictions about what you think might happen.

4. Who is the narrator in the story? Is it a character in the story (first person) or someone outside the story (third person)? How would the story be different if the narrator were different?

5. Which character would you want as a friend, and why? Or, which character would you not want as a friend, and why?

6. If you could interview the author of this book, what would you ask? What information or clues about the book would you want to know?

7. Which scene is the climax of the story? Why is this scene so important?

8. What are the themes of this book? (List at least two.) Choose one theme and describe how the author presents it. (How did you learn this lesson?)

9. Find three quotes that seem important or meaningful. Explain who said them and why they are so important or revealing.

10. Can you relate to anything in this book, either a character, or something that happens? Describe any similarities or connections to your own life.

11. What is the mood of this story? Does it change? How do you know what the mood is? (What does the author do to make you feel a certain way?)

12. What are the main conflicts in the book? Are they internal or external? Who or what are they between? How are they resolved? Could they have been resolved in a better way? If so, how?

13. If you could pick a cast for the movie version of this book, whom would you choose and why?

14. Illustrate at least two important scenes from the book.

15. If you could rewrite or change something about the book (not the ending), what would you change, and why?

16. Did you like the ending of the book? Why or why not? If you could rewrite it, what would you do differently?

17. List and define ten words you have not encountered before.

(Required) 18. What aspects of the Archetype does the protagonist possess and how do they influence his/her actions in the story?

(Required) 19. Compare and contrast yourself to the protagonist. In other words, describe how you are similar and different from the main character.